Shoe sole



C. P. MEBANE Nov. 28, 1933.

SHOE SOLE Filed Oct. 17. 1930 Jnmnl'oz Charle s IP/Welanc me( W @j 7% M Patented Nov. 28, 1.933

i teun SHOE SOLE Charles P. Mebane, Cleveland, Ohio, assigner to The National Glove Company, Columbus, Ohio,r

' a corporation of Ohio Application October 17, 1930. Serial No. 489,378

l Claim.

This invention relates to half soles for shoes and more particularly to that type of half soie commonly referred to as a rubber half sole or shoe bottom. It has been found that when rubber half soles heretofore made are employed on shoes having leather soles great diiiiculty has been experienced securing a iirm union between the upper surface of the rubber half soie and the lower surface of the leather sole of the shoe. Not only is it diiiicult to secure an initial union of the two soles, but it has been found that when shoes so equipped have been worn for some time and subjected to the usual conditions oi service, that the rubber half sole becomes loosened from the leather sole, either partially or entirely, to the great discomfort of the wearer of the shoe. lt has also been found that when the rubber soles heretofore made are attached to the sole of a shoe that the vamp portion of the sole is rendered less flexible so that particularly in the case of thin soled shoes and especially in feminine footwear, the employment of such rubber half soles seriously interferes with the comfort of the shoe.

My invention has for its principal object the provision of a rubber half sole which may be readily attached to shoes provided with leather soles and which after attachment will remain securely united as an integral part of the sole of the shoe during all conditions of service, and which may be attached securely by anyone without the use of speciel tools.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a rubber half sole which may be employed in shoes having relatively thin lieXible soles without impairing the ilexibility of the sole to which it has been attached.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, coinbinations of elements and arrangements of parts hereinafter to be fully described and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a plan view of the bottom or tread portion of my improved half sole,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of JFigure l.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral l designates my improved half sole in its entirety and the half sole includes a body portion 2 and a surfacing portion 3. The body portion 2 is formed from a body of homogeneous rubber compound which has been vulcanmed and which is yieldable, pliable and relatively soft to the degree usually obtaining in rubber heel lifts. The surfacing portion 3 comprises a single layer ci fabric. While any suitable fabric may be employed, l prefer to employ a cloth fabric having a nap at least on one side such as canton flannel although, of course, oth abrics may be utilized.

In forming my improved half sole the rubber compound comprising the body portion 2 is spread upon a suitable fabric comprising the surfacing portion 3. If the fabric employed has but a single nap surface, the rubber compound is spread upon the surface opposite the nap. Pressure is then applied to the rubber compound so that it impregnates the fabric and becomes thoroughly united therewith. The rubber compound is then vulcanized with the result that the body portion 2 and the servicing portion 3 are integrally united. it is important, however, that the rubber when f. pressed into engagement with the fabric should i5 not completely penetrate therethrough, in that it is necessary to leave a fabric surface at 3 which is substantially free from-rubber in order that this fabric surface may more readily receive and unite with the adhesive or cement employed in securing the sole in place. Not only does the fabric assist in effecting and maintaining permanent and close engagement at all times between the rubber half sole and the main sole of a shoe but it serves in the additional capacity 35 of toughening the rubber half sole and increasing its resistance to tearing, cracking and other similar damaging strains.

The body portion 2 is formed with a tread surface 4 having a uniform thickness. Surrounding 90 the tread portion 4 is a relatively thin marginal edge 5. The tread portion Li may be of any desired thickness but should always be of a greater thickness than the marginal edge 5. In order to impart to the tread` portion 4 the same de- 95 gree of flexibility as obtains in the marginal portion 5 the tread portion i is'formed to include a plurality or"v horizontally extending parallel V-shaped grooves 6. Each of the grooves 6 eX- tends the entire width of the tread portion and the bottom of each of the grooves 6 is substantially in the same plane as the lower surface of the marginal edge 5 as shown in Figure 2. In order to further increase the flexibility of the sole diagonal grooves 'i are provided, each oi 105 which extends from one end of the horizontal groove 6 to the opposite end of the adjacent horizontal groove. Openings 7a are provided inthe body portion to function as vacuum chambers to 1 overcome slipping,

lIt will be seen therefore that my improved half sole has a body portion of relatively soft, pliable homogeneous vulcanized rubber compound Which is formed integral with a fabric surfacing portion. The surfacing portion 3 provides a fabric surface which is preferably a nap surface, which may be firmly united by means of any Well known cement' to the leather sole of a shoe. The fabric surface having once been cemented to the leather sole of a shoe, the union remains firm under all conditions of service so that my improved half sole remains a part of the shoe and a shoe so equipped may be Worn thereafter with ease and comfort.

Not only may my improved half sole be rmly cemented to the sole of a shoe but it provides an insole which in no manner interferes With the flexibility of the sole to Which it is attached.

The grooves 6 and 7 formed in the tread portion of the half sole permit the utmost flexibility and at the same time permits the tread portion 4 to be formed with the requisite firmness. The manner in which the grooves 6 and 7 are employed not only provides flexibility but serves to prevent any tendency of the tread portion 4 to crack, thereby prolonging the life of the half sole.

yWhat is claimed is:

A half sole for shoes, comprising a at thin body of compounded rubber, and a layer of canton flannel embedded in the upper surface of s'aid rubber body to constitute an integral part thereof, said flannel being embedded in said rubber with its nap surface disposed upward and substantially free of said rubber compound.

CHARLES P. MEBANE. 

